Weekly Update 12-4-17

Weekly Update 12-4-17

"A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave."Mahatma Gandhi

There is a lot to get to this week, WeCAN Family, so let's get right to it:

HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 4th, 2017-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 2017

Youth4Change MeetingMonday, December 4th, 2017, at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 5:30pm-8pm. Contact: youth4changeaction@gmail.comY4C will be working with Brattleboro Common Sense to strategize around the campaign to lower the voting age for Brattleboro elections. Art/Hang time at 5:30, Food at 6:00, Meeting at 6:30.Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth 12-21, especially those from/in historically disenfranchised communities, who want to use education, art, and action to address issues of racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice. Y4C meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month.

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Windham County Organizing Committee for Vermont Workers’ Center MeetingTuesday, December 5th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 6:00pm-8:00pm. Contact: Windham@workerscenter.orgOur December 2 meeting will continue fleshing out Windham County's 2018 campaign plan/contributions toward funding and implementing Act 48, Vermont's existing universal healthcare law.The Vermont Workers' Center is a member-run organization, organizing with a human rights framework on issues of concern to people most impacted by economic and social injustice. Our Healthcare Is A Human Right campaign is focused on winning a healthcare system that works for people, not for profit, and provides dignified wages and conditions for people working in the healthcare field.

Democracy Forum at the Brown Bag Lunch: Songs for the Peaceful Revolution, Songs from the 4th of July ParadeWednesday, December 6th, 2017 at the Robert Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm. Forty of us walked with and carried the We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights For All banner in the 2017 4th of July Parade. Come and learn the songs we sang in the parade as we marched along. Woody Bernhard and who created the banner and his daughter Maggie Bernhard will lead you in singing these simple "revolutionary march" marching songs. It's about singing together as we march for peaceful revolution. Please join us.

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Local Love Brigade Table at the Academy School Community NightThursday, December 7th, 2017 at the Academy School (860 Western Ave. Brattleboro, VT 05301). 5:30pm - 7:30pm.Stop by the music room to make love postcards to send out to those who are facing hate. Together we can help remind people that they are not alone.

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Protest Vigil at TD Banksponsored by Post Oil SolutionsFriday, December 8th, 2017 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided.TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. The State of Vermont Keeps Most of Our Cash in TD.What You Can You Do (besides attending the vigils):If you’re a TD depositor, change banks!Founded in 2005, Post Oil Solutions is a 501c3 community organizing project in Southeastern Vermont whose mission is to help empower the people of the Central Connecticut River Valley bioregion to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society. For more information please contact bereal@vermontel.net or 802.869.2141.

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Mending the Web of Life with Sarah Pirtle sponsored by Living Earth Action GroupFriday, December 8th, 2017 at the Westminster West Community Church (44 Church St., Putney, VT 05346). 5pm-6:30pm.For more info, contact caitlin@sanctuaryvermont.com or call 802-387-5779. Free and open to the public.Sarah Pirtle was one of two dozen people who helped develop despair and empowerment work and the Interhelp Network starting in 1981. Currently called The Work That Reconnects, the best known leader of the work is the Buddhist teacher, author, and brilliant thinker Joanna Macy. Sarah will guide us on an experiential introduction into what is usually experienced in a longer format. This session will be followed up with a 4-hour workshop later this Winter. Sarah writes, "At the heart of the Work that Reconnects we help to restore the basic web of life. When we tell our truths about pain for the world, we also feel the embrace of caring listeners and this aids us in finding voice and speaking up.”

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Winter Farmers’ Marketsponsored by Post Oil SolutionsSaturday, December 9th, 2017 (and every Saturday through March) at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm. Area musicians will perform from 11am-1pm. No pets allowed. Metered parking available within walking distance. Restrooms and cafe seating available on site. Family friendly. We are beginning our 12th Season! Join us every Saturday for vegetables, fruits and meat from local farms, a variety of baked goods, locally and regionally produced artisan crafts, and freshly prepared food in the beautiful River Garden building on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro. EBT customers can turn $10 into $20 with CropCashINFO: contact Market Manager, Sherry Maher, 802.869.2141, farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.

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Rights and Democracy's Annual Membership Assembly and Celebration: From Protest to Power: Organizing in 2018 And BeyondSunday, December 10th, 2017 at Lebanon High School (195 Hanover St., Lebanon, NH). 1pm-6pm. Join members of Rights & Democracy from across Vermont and New Hampshire for our annual membership assembly and celebration. We will celebrating RAD members for key victories in our states and DC this year and look to the movement organizing that lay ahead for us in 2018 and beyond, including our multi-issue People’s Platform for each state. If you are not a member of Rights & Democracy, but are interested in learning more about becoming one or if you have child care or accessibility or interpretation needs, contact us at info@radvt.org.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Joint Meeting: The Progressive Party Town and Country CommitteesMonday, December 11th, 2017 at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center (1535 Middle Road, Dummerston, VT). 6:30pm.Tired of most Democrats who effectively accomplish nothing and provide no hope at all? The Progressive Party Town and County Committees will meet jointly on Monday, December 11th, 6:30 pm, at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center (1535 Middle Rd). Good conversation about state politics, upcoming legislation and related topics. Public welcome. Read the Statement of Philosophy and Platform here: http://progressiveparty.org. Looking forward to seeing you there!

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Vigil to Remember all Gun Violence Victims and Survivorshosted by GunSenseVTTuesday, December 12th, 2017 at Pliny Park, Corner of Main St. and High St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. 5:30pmThis December 14th marks the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Since that horrible day, an additional 500,000 people in the United States have been killed or injured by gun violence, including hundreds here in Vermont. Please gather with us at one of the many vigils that is happening across the state this December to remember ALL victims and survivors of gun violence, and to advocate for an end to this uniquely American tragedy. We must shed a light on true toll that this epidemic is exacting, each and every day. For more information about the vigil, please email info@gunsensevt.org. We hope that you will stand in solidarity, in remembrance, and in commitment to #EndGunViolence.

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Carbon Pricing Presentationhosted by Energy Independent Vermont, 350Brattleboro, and Mother Up! BrattleboroTuesday, December 12th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro). First Floor. 5:30pm-6:30pm. For more information, please contact: christina@vpirg.org.Join us to learn more about the Essex Plan—a recent carbon pricing proposal that would electrify Vermont with the cleanest and cheapest electricity in the region—and build your toolkit to effectively advocate for bold climate action.

Citizen Emergency Preparedness Workshopsponsored by Post Oil Solutions & Vermont Emergency ManagementThursday, December 14th, 2017 at St. Michael Episcopal Church (16 Bradley Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301) in the Downstairs Meeting Room. 6pm-8pm. Handicapped accessible. Light refreshments will be available. For further information, contact Tim at 802.869.2141 or email him at bereal@vermontel.net.Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) will present a workshop on how citizens and communities can best prepare themselves for the kinds of exceptional weather events we are increasingly experiencing (as exemplified by the horrific storms a few weeks ago that were experienced by people in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico). where emergency services are rendered unavailable, and people are basically on their own to take care of themselves and their neighbors.One of the important lessons from these earlier storms is how much better off citizens would have been if they had made preparations for such an event well before any had occurred, and not wait until storms like Harvey, Irma, and Maria struck, and quickly overwhelmed them.The workshop will offer very practical steps we can all take as individuals, families and communities in making a plan that can then be acted upon promptly in a time of emergency, VEM’ will also provide all attendees with a booklet on emergency preparedness.

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Local Love Brigade Community Gathering in MarlboroSunday, December 17th, 2017 at the Marlboro Meeting House Church (524 South Road, Marlboro, VT 05344). Downstairs from 1pm - 3pm.Come together with neighbors to make love postcards to send out to those who are facing hate. Together we can help remind people that they are not alone.

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A Meditative Vigil of Lovingkindnesssponsored by Post Oil SolutionsMonday, December 18th, 2017 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), part of the Brown Bag Event. 12pm-1pm. With a banner that reads “May All Beings Be Free Of Pain And Suffering, May All Beings Know Peace And Happiness. Please Join Us” Post Oil Solutions is continuing to host silent vigils of lovingkindness for the peaceful, socially just society we are all seeking.At a time when basic values are being assaulted and ignored, it is essential that we both express and simply be our inherent heart values. Though silent, the Vigil of Lovingkindness is intended to give voice to these values—selfless love, personal integrity, service to others, moral courage, and a basic commitment to the sacredness of life--that are the foundation of a wholesome society, and to speak up for the compassionate alternative that they represent. Please join us. All are welcome to join for a few minutes or for the entire hour. People may stand, sit or kneel, as they see fit. There are chairs, but please bring a cushion, mat, or whatever you are comfortable with.

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Non Violent Direct Action Training Opportunity: Call for NVDA Training Participantssponsored by Post Oil Solutions and 99th Monkee Affinity GroupSaturday, February 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room on the 2nd Floor. 9:30am-5pm.TRAINERS: Cate Woolner & Carol LewisThe workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town.Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers.There are only 25 places and some have already been taken; it is advisable to register early.For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or email him at bereal@vermontel.net. Participating in this training does not mean you plan to risk arrest while involved in a non-violent direct action. It is important for all of us in the environmental, social justice, racial & gender equality, peace, and democracy movements to be well-versed in non-violence. In addition to risking arrest, we need to consider all the roles necessary to make our efforts successful, including being a support person, a legal, police or media liaison.Workshop Goals Include:•To understand and become inspired by the spirit and history of non-violent direct action•To prepare for participation in non-violent action that may be necessary as time goes on•To deepen connections and build stronger community among activists in the greater Brattleboro area•To consider joining an existing affinity group, or creating a new one.The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town.Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers.There are only 25 places, and some have already been taken. So it is advisable to register early.For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or bereal@vermontel.net.

Youth4Change Regular Meeting The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor.Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth ages 12-21, especially those from/in historically disenfranchised communities who want to use education, art, and action to address issues of racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice.

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SKILLED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Childcare as a Radical Act: Sign up to Provide Childcare!The Family Solidarity Action Network is moving forward with their next big effort to support families in local activism: a collective of folks to provide childcare for local activist meetings or events. If you or someone you know would be able and willing to offer childcare (as a volunteer, or paid) for meetings and events please fill out this spreadsheet:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YGVI8wECe4ZDdghtAG147j7ktwgB_J5ZoWUPkwGrOhM/edit#gid=0We are looking for people young and old with varying degrees of experience. Having a large pool of people to call on will make it much easier for organizers to arrange childcare for meetings, allowing for more voices of families with young children to participate in local activism! We will then be making this list available to other local organizations so we can be sure that childcare doesn't have to be a barrier to participation for anyone.

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

Indigo RadioSundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FMTo stream live: Visit www.wvew.org Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections!IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community.Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353